Servers Discuss Cultural Differences Between Serving in American and European Restaurants

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  • 01
    Font - Posted by u/thomas6785 15 hours ago Any other Europeans lurking on this sub? American restaurants are so weird
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    Font - So I'm a waiter in Ireland and I'm pretty fascinated by some of the weird stuff I see people posting about here that I have to assume is an American cultural difference. For instance,
  • 03
    Font - ● Obviously tipping is a huge difference. I make €40 in tips from 8 hours on a pretty good day. • It seems like American restaurants have dedicated bus staff and runners - I've never seen this in Europe, all of that is done by the waiters.
  • 04
    Font - • I feel there's a lot more prestige to service in the US - people get a lot more training and are expected to interact with customers. We take orders, carry food, then clear the table; that's it.
  • 05
    Font - • Servers tell customers their ● names by default. I hate when some customers know my name to the point that I've thought about lying if they ever ask.
  • 06
    Font - Any other Europeans lurking in this sub ? Or anybody with more observations about cultural difference? Edit: €40 in tips not wages Added the name thing
  • 07
    Font - thomas6785 OP · 12 hr. ago Typical service here looks like: • seat them, bring menus and water ● [maybe] take drink orders right away
  • 08
    Font - • bring drink and take ● orders ● [maybe] drop an amuse of some kind • bring food ● • check on them exactly once during their mains
  • 09
    Font - ● drop the bill (then wait a minute so they can check it, please guys) and bring the card machine • clear, wipe, and reset ● ↑ 203 Reply Share
  • 10
    Font - firmalor 13 hr. ago It's just a strange feeling, but the American customers sound... more entitled? Like the customization of cocktails - I would never think about doing this. Here, you order a cocktail
  • 11
    Font - of the menu or ask the bartender. An excellent bartender listens to what you like and recommends a drink. Anything else feels disrespectful. 4426 Reply Share
  • 12
    Font - pond_minnow 15 hr. ago We take orders, carry food, then clear the table; that's it. that honestly sounds like the perfect level of service Reply Share 367
  • 13
    Font - hikrboi 17 hr. ago The big difference is that Americans expect their servers to come to them and are hesitant to ask for service because it feels rude. European service is more about the customer initiating service.
  • 14
    Font - This sub tends to lean higher end in the threads and comments to the point where it's wayyyyy overrepresented. Restaurants not having runners is common. Almost everywhere except the most casual places
  • 15
    Font - have bussers though. People don't want to see the people handling their food touching dirty dishes and cleaning. 132 Reply Share
  • 16
    Font - Background_Toe_5393 · 14 hr. ago I like europes way of doing things. It's less personal and when I visit it feels more comfortable for me as an introvert. I'm good at talking to customers and discussing their interests but I secretly hate it.
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    Font - petrparkour 14 hr. ago. edited 13 hr. ago The thing that was hard to get used to Europe when we went to a restaurant is that you will be there for a VERY long time. Most of the time I don't mind it so much, but when we were
  • 18
    Font - touring we had to remember that when we go eat, it could suck 2-3 hours of the afternoon. In US, It's rare a table will be here longer than an hour. And surprising to not get greeted sometimes for 20 min. I've had tables get up and angrily leave after not being greeted within 5
  • 19
    Font - min. Oh and drinks better be on the table within 3-5 min. I got yelled by a table the other day because I was too slammed to get their waters immediately. There's like this weird expectation to "entertain" and become friends with your tables
  • 20
    Font - here in the US. Which is probably because of tipping. As an actor I often don't mind that so much and I like (nice) people anyway. So Interacting with them can be fun. However, some days I just can't. 441 Reply Share
  • 21
    Font - thomas6785 OP. 13 hr. ago > In US, It's rare a table will be here longer than an hour Wow okay this is very odd to read. Maybe this depends largely on the restaurant. In a dinner place I work in (Ireland) tables sometimes
  • 22
    Font - stay for 2 hours or more - 90 minutes is fairly typical. In a café I work in, people sometimes stay for 4 or 5 hours just chatting over coffee.
  • 23
    Font - Restaurants on the European continent have slower service in my experience which may contribute to the longer table times, though 2-3 hours would seem very long to me.
  • 24
    Font - > There's like this weird expectation to "entertain" and become friends with your tables here in the US This really irritates me - particularly when servers are expected to give their name to their customers. I usually
  • 25
    Font - hate when customers know my name to the point that I've considered lying whenever they (occasionally) ask. ↑ 21 Reply Share

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